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II KÂNDA, 4 ADHYÂYA, I BRÂHMANA, 3.
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the sacrificers; and what unassailable chariot he (Agni) possesses, therewith he protects the sacrificers. Hence he thereby means to say, 'what unassailable chariot thou possessest, wherewith thou protectest the sacrificers, therewith do thou guard us on every side. This (verse) he mutters thrice.
41. He then pronounces his son's name!: May this son (N. N.) carry on this manly deed of mine!' Should he have no son, let him insert his own name.
Fourth ADHYAYA. First BRAHMANA. 1. Now after the performance of the Agnihotra he (optionally 2); approaches the fires with (Vág. S. III, 37), 'Earth! ether! sky!' In saying 'Earth! ether! sky! he renders his speech auspicious by means of the truth, and with that (speech) thus rendered propitious he invokes a blessing :—May I be well supplied with offspring !' whereby he prays for offspring ; -well supplied with men l' whereby he prays for men (heroes); '-well supplied with viands !' whereby he prays for prosperity.
2. That long (form of) fire-worship is a prayer for blessing, and so is this (short) one a prayer for blessing : hence even with this much he obtains all, and he may therefore worship the fires with it. "Therewith, indeed, we perform,' so spake Asuri.
3. Now, when he is about to set out on a journey 3, he approaches first the Gårhapatya, and thereupon the Ahavaniya.
i See I, 9, 3, 21. . For this shorter form of worshipping the fires, see p. 349, note 2.
3 That is, a journey which wili compel him to pass the night beyond the village boundary.
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